Funke-Schmitt-Rink, Margret, née Funke

Teacher, politician

Born: 23.01.1946 in Recklinghausen

died: 11.03.1998 in Wiesbaden

Funke-Schmitt-Rink studied sociology, history and German studies in Freiburg im Breisgau and Frankfurt am Main and received her doctorate in education from the University of Heidelberg in 1975. From 1974-78 she published various textbooks for students of sociology. In 1978, she moved to Wiesbaden and taught at the Diltheyschule.

In 1989, she was seconded to the Hessian Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs to work at the Hessian Institute for Educational Planning and School Development in Hofheim im Taunus. From 1976-90 and from 1994 until her death, she worked as a school teacher.

In 1978, she became a member of the FDP and became involved in local politics, particularly in the areas of leisure, sport, the environment and senior citizens. From 1981-85, she was a member of the Wiesbaden city council and was the first woman to be elected FDP district chairwoman. In 1985, she became a member of the executive committee of the city council and was nominated as a candidate for the Bundestag in 1986.

In November 1987, together with Gottfried Kiesow, later Director of the State Office for the Preservation of Historical Monuments, she was appointed to the federal committee for "Schools, Universities, Education and Culture" as well as chairwoman of the state committee for "Schools, Universities and Culture".

From 1990-94, she was a member of the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag and represented it as spokesperson for youth and drug policy. In March 1997, she stood as a candidate for the FDP in the Wiesbaden mayoral election.